Stability, Stamina, and Safety: Bring the Gym Home to You
By William Costoso, Staff Writer
Recently, many social media platforms have been addressing the need for physical and mental self-care, a trend that has upticked since the start of quarantine. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the closure of many gyms, exercise routines across the globe have changed dramatically to accommodate for the needs of people at home. Let's take a look at some at-home workouts that can be applied to your daily routine!
The first, and by far the most popular option, is traditional exercise. Of course, because gyms are closed, many people have been left without the same machinery and equipment they used before. To make matters worse, it can be hard to replicate the same gym routines with little space to work with at home. Luckily, there are many ways to circumvent these issues. Several alternative objects can be used as weights instead of dumbbells, such as a gallon of water, or a combination of items in a bag lifted by the handle. However, if you are unable to use or find these items, bodyweight exercise is also a great method that many have utilized to keep yourself in shape during quarantine. Bodyweight exercises do not require any additional equipment, and can usually be done within a far smaller space. Push-ups, sit-ups, and squats are all great examples of such exercises, and are typically done in longer sets with more repetitions. Both types of traditional exercise can be used for cardio and fat burning, as well as strength training and muscle building.
The second, and arguably the most overlooked, is yoga. While it is promoted as a way of keeping yourself grounded and maintaining a positive mentality, yoga can also provide a multitude of physical health benefits. For instance, do you experience back pain from sitting at the computer screen all day and laying in bed? Yoga is a quick and easy option to ease the physical pain facilitated from online learning, prevent injuries, and make you more limber and flexible (University of Central Florida, American Osteopathic Association)! Yoga has also proven to improve your physical health in the long run, as it is an at-home exercise. I highly recommend all of you include it in your daily routine!
How do our CHSN students and teachers measure up when it comes to quarantine wellness?
Mr. Amparo, CHSN Varsity Basketball Coach and Gym Teacher (left) and our Principal, Dr. Harry Leonardatos
Q: How does Mr. Amparo stay physically active during quarantine?
A: Cycling!
Riding three to four times a week for about 10 miles each day, Amparao says the main advantage of biking is its immense benefits to cardiovascular health. He also credits his bicycle trips with being therapeutic, something that, especially during the pandemic, can be critical.
Q: How does Nick stay physically active during quarantine?
A: Created a fully planned exercise regimen!
Once the pandemic hit, Nick took it upon himself to better his physical health. Through a mixture of pull-ups, jump rope, push ups, and forearm exercises, he has been able to get into what he believes is the best shape of his life, and has plans to continue to improve his overall health.
Image courtesy of Nick Alkobi, Senior
Wellness Workouts
Infographics courtesy of Pinterest